Latino Youth Program
The purpose of the Latino Youth Program (LYP) is to serve and support Latino young men holistically throughout their life and academic journey. Central to the program is providing students with opportunities, support systems, and mentoring based supports that takes into consideration the strengths, needs, and interests of students (youth voice-and-choice). Consequently, the overall goal of the program is to foster: overall wellbeing, positive youth-adult and peer relationships, a sense of belonging, positive youth development, and school connectedness in program youth. In doing so, students will graduate being life, college, and /or career ready.
Latino Youth Program Kickoff Event - October 5, 2019
On Saturday, Oct. 5, students from all four HSD high schools engaged in fun activities to kickstart the Latino Youth Program for 2019-20. Students, staff and mentors came together to build relationships and provide a sense of community. Special thanks to keynote speaker Enrique Vargas from Oregon Metro and to our guest mascot Timber Joey from the Portland Timbers. Thank you students, staff, volunteers, and Big Brothers Big Sisters for your support in making this event possible. We look forward to an amazing year with these amazing students!
Doughnuts with Mike Scott: A Conversation about Race, Education, Careers, and Life - April 25, 2019
Superintendent Mike Scott visited program youth at Century High School on Thursday, April 25. Students enjoyed doughnuts with the Superintendent and had a rich dialogue about race, education, careers, and life. Thank you, Mr. Scott, for your visit and for your support; and thank you, students, for your openness and willingness to engage in courageous conversations.
MENTE Summit - April 19, 2019
One of the goals of the program is to expand students’ networks by connecting them with positive adult role models who can encourage students to attend/complete their high school education and beyond (carrer/higher education). A group of program youth (and staff) attended the 2019 MENTE Summit that took place at Linfield College (McMinnville site) on April 19, 2019.
Attending the MENTE summit gave students the opportunity to:
- Connect with community leaders who shared their experiences.
- Hear community leaders underscore the importance of completing high school and pursuing a higher education.
- Engage in dialogue with leaders to address many of the barriers that students face as men of color; and
- Attend different sessions centred on careers, college, identity, and much more!
Many thanks to everyone from MENTE, Linfield College, and community members who made this event possible. To learn more about MENTE and this event, please visit: www.mentesummit.com.
Field trip to Nike World Headquarters: “Carreras a Las Carreras” (the race to careers) - February 15, 2019
Almost 50 HSD Youth Program students attend field trip to Nike World Headquarters on February 15, 2019!
One of the commitments of the LYP is to provide students with opportunities that will yield better academic outcomes and expand students’ horizon about career pathways. Central to this work is for program youth to also be able to relate to professionals who may share similar backgrounds as their own. The goal of taking students to Nike World Headquarters was for students to tour one of the leading corporations in the area, to learn about different careers at Nike, and to have the opportunity to relate and meet positive adult role models that they can look-up to and who serve as an inspiration for students.
At this field trip, youth met and learned from Latinx professionals who: 1) shared similar backgrounds and lived experiences to that of the youth, 2) are in different careers, and 3) are successful in a local but world acclaimed company like Nike. Providing youth with this opportunity broadened their learning, expanded their college/career aspirations, and they learned about Nike’s culture and workplace. Nike professionals underscored to youth the importance of an education, and how continuing their college or trade school education is an investment that will open future doors, including the possibility of pursuing a career at Nike, a company where they can make contributions to the workplace and community at large.
This event was made possible thanks to the collaboration and coordination of Jake Baez, and the support of: Andres Vargas, Pamela Flores-Sandoval, Enrique Ruiz, Nick Engeldinger, Sarah Garcia, Ted Werbel, and many more!
Fostering Peer Social Networks: Connecting with Peers Connecting with Nature - Zoo Lights Field Trip December 10, 2018
It is commonly agreed upon that fostering social networks can minimize social isolation which is detrimental to youth development, similarly, there is extensive research supporting how being in nature/natural environments enhances wellbeing. Students had the opportunity to expand their peer social networks in nature while enjoying the beautiful Zoo Lights on December 10th, 2019! Special thanks to our partner Big Brothers Big Sisters for making this field trip possible for students.